<i>FERIENWOCHE</i> <i>BASKENLAND</i>
<i>FERIENWOCHE</i> <i>BASKENLAND</i>
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FERIENWOCHE BASKENLAND

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Sea Kayak Holidays

12.–17.10.2025

SEA KAYAK HOLIDAYS BASQUE COUNTRY

The second edition of our cracking good Sea Kayak Holidays Basque Country! A unique rocky coast, brilliant surf spots and almost always a nice swell make our hearts beat faster when we think of the Basque Country. And yours will too once you have paddled here with us! This holiday week is a highlight for all experienced paddlers who love dynamic water and sea kayaking in all its forms: surfing, rock hopping, paddling in caves and narrow rock gullies, or of course day trips along the fabulous western and central Basque coast, which is packed with highlights such as the incredible and almost "otherworldly" rock garden of Gaztelugatxe, Cabo Ogoño with all its caves, the flysch coasts of Barrika, Bakio, Lekeitio, Ondarroa or Mutriku – and of course the world-famous Mundaka with its tiderace in the mouth of the green Ría Urdaibai, which is also a wonderful refuge when conditions are too rough out on the exposed parts of the coast.

Our base camp for this week is the Arrien campsite in the Bay of Gorliz, which is not only the starting point for fantastic paddling adventures right around the corner, but also a real top spot for sea kayak surfing on days with a lot of swell.

Since it is quite likely that the Basque coast will be exposed to a certain swell and possibly some wind in October, we have set the experience level for this week a little higher. In other words: This is a week for people who are definitely not out on the Atlantic for the first time and who also enjoy it when it gets a little choppy. If you have any doubts about whether you have the necessary experience, talk to us or – better still – book this holiday week in combination with the Course Week Basque Country the week before. Here you will get the skills boost you need to be able to enjoy this holiday week to the fullest.

DETAILS

Programme Day 1
Day 1
Our camp begins on Sunday at around 10:00 with the official welcome and introduction round and the distribution of kayaks and gear. Of course, we will also go paddling afterwards – depending on what makes sense given the conditions. Either directly from the beach near the campsite or somewhere else. We will see…
Programme Days 2–5
Days 2-5
As with all of our sea kayak holiday programmes, there is no fixed schedule for this week. This is neither necessary nor would it make sense, because here you have to plan every day based on the current sea weather forecast. But anyway we have a great selection of options on the water:

  • Day trips around the corner to the “Flysch Coast” of Barrika or the Gorliz lighthouse. A really beautiful coast. We took the cover photo of our homepage here.
  • Rock hopping. One of the coolest activities here when there is little swell.
  • Surf sessions in our bay or on other beaches in the region. The bay of Gorliz, which is well protected by its topographical features and two large breakwaters, offers excellent surfing opportunities, especially on rough days when the conditions would be too big elsewhere. Even with a swell of more than 3 meters outside the bay, you can still have fun on moderate waves here. Conversely, if the waves are too small, we can easily reach other, more exposed beaches in the region by car.
  • Car shuttles and day paddles to Armintza, Bakio, Bermeo or other coastal towns in the region. It's beautiful and exciting everywhere here!
Programme Day 6
On our last day of paddling we will make sure we get off the water by 16:00 at the latest and end the course with a feedback session. You have enough time to take care of your equipment or preparing for your departure. We recommend planning this for Friday evening at the earliest, or even better Saturday.

If you have borrowed gear from us, we ask that you rinse everything with fresh water and return it to us clean and salt-free by Friday evening.
More Info
Participant Numbers: Minimum 4, Maximum 8
Languages: German and English

TYPICAL CONDITIONS

This is what you may hope for

Weather
In October, anything is possible in the Basque Country... sunshine, rain, storms. But you can certainly expect pleasantly warm temperatures without being an overtly incorrigible optimist.

Wind
Anything is possible and windy days are not uncommon. Northwest and northeast are the most common wind directions. When a large low pressure system moves over the Atlantic, it can be stormy. But likewise we could also have a completely calm week.

Waves
Northwest winds or storms far out on the Atlantic, somewhere between here and southern Greenland, can bring large, long-wave swells. Basically, the entire Basque coast, in the southeasternmost corner of the capricious Bay of Biscay, is an area notorious in shipping for demanding sea conditions. But there are almost always places where you can do something with a sea kayak, even if it's "just" a great surf session in a relatively sheltered bay.

ACTIVITIES

This is what you may expect

Click on the pictures to learn more about the activities.

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Discover Europe's Most Beautiful Coastlines With Us

There are paddlers for whom sea kayaking primarily means making distance. Often these people paddle purposefully in a straight line past the most beautiful coasts – and overlook all the small and large things that there are to discover. So many beautiful things, so many incredible things, so many spontaneous adventures – if you take the time for them. That's exactly what we mean by "exploring the coast": taking advantage of every opportunity for experiences and fascinating discoveries. The lines between “touring” and “play” blur depending on what presents itself to us. Depending on the tide, swell, wind and weather, a coastline is always different.

We don't measure the success of a paddle-day in kilometers, but in the number of "Wows"! And believe us: there are a lot of them where we go sea kayaking with you.
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Fantastic Day Trips

Touring doesn't always mean that you have to paddle for several days with a lot of luggage: Exciting day trips let you enjoy the juicy bits of a coast and you're back at the base camp in the evening. And at the same time, a "day trip" doesn't always have to be synonymous with touring: Just as often as we undertake an excursion-style day trip, we go on paddle-strolls "just around the corner" to a particularly cool rock garden, a tide race or Surf beach and see what happens there. This way, without paddling many kilometers, we also make great, fulfilling and exciting days of sea kayaking.
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Dynamic Water: Widen Your Comfort Zone

Paddling in dynamic water – whether generated by wind, tide or swell – provides variety and excitement. And it makes you a better paddler.

It is part of our course structure to accompany you step by step from the calm lake to increasingly challenging conditions. What is “challenging” on this journey and what is specifically understood as “dynamic water” – that is highly subjective and is ultimately determined by you, your skills and, above all, your comfort zone, which we will try to carefully expand together. That's why we work with you to find conditions that challenge you without overwhelming you or generating bad experiences. Because we want you to have new experiences, become a safer paddler and walk away from the water with a good feeling and a big grin after each day with us.
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Surfing – of Course in a Sea Kayak

At Salty Cosmos we agree: there is almost nothing more addictive than surfing with a sea kayak! No matter whether forward, backward or a reverse start with a turn (like Ella in the picture above), steep pirouettes, spectacular "bongo slides" and fast rolls in the breaking wave – surfing a sea kayak is an absolutely fantastic thing. It is not only extremely fun, but it sharpens your boat control and technique like nothing else. Being able to paddle in the surf zone also means a huge increase in safety: Here you will quickly find out whether you can really intuitively edge and brace, whether your roll works effectively without a setup and whether you understand what your kayak is doing in such a dynamic environment.

You alone decide what conditions are right for you when going sea kayak surfing. It's not about who surfs the biggest waves. It's not (just) about adrenaline rushes or about who can pull off the most spectacular stunts, but simply about having maximum fun and learning while playing. And yes: capsizing is part of it and is neither dangerous nor something to feel ashamed of.
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Rockhopping: Big Fun, Also in Smaller Waves

Next to surfing, rock hopping is certainly the most playful activity in the vast cosmos of sea kayaking. Paddling with the waves at exactly the right moment over a washed-over granite rock, through narrow passages and into bubbling rock features – always in the rhythm of the waves – that's rock hopping. It takes timing, skill, good observation skills, confident control strokes and a bit of boat control, which fortunately grows with each session.

Rock hopping is an activity that quickly becomes addictive and is a lot of fun. There is no need for big waves. On the contrary: the best rock hopping sessions take place in generally rather calm conditions. Even small waves can create turbulence, suction and very dynamic conditions between the rocks. You have to accept scratches and dents in your kayak before involving in this activity, otherwise it definitely won't be fun. Even a small hole in the boat can happen from time to time, which is why we always have repair materials with us. And to ensure that no injuries occur, we always exercise caution. A good rule for rock hopping is: never play where you don't want to swim.
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Seriously Fun Stuff…

Land on a cliff just to make espresso... Open your spraydeck and go for a swim in a bubbling gully… Get up in your kayak and do some "stand up paddling"… Go backwards through the tide race... Surf without a paddle... Or what about a rodeo with a person on the back deck? Or would you rather try a roll with a “koala” on your bow? Why? Just because you can do it. And because it's fun. There are a thousand ways to have fun and learn in sea kayaking (and a million more that we haven't invented yet)! At least for everyone who doesn't take themselves too seriously and who hasn't stopped being curious.
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What is this?
What is this?

Our Skill-o-meter is intended to give you a quick, rough guide to the approximate level of experience and paddling skills we require to take part in this programme.

It says NOTHING about what conditions we will encounter on site.

To find out exactly what skills we expect from you to take part in this programme, please be sure to read the specifications below ("What we expect from you").

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SKILLS

This is what we expect from you

You can swim

Minimum three weeks experience on the sea

Experience in waves of 1.5 m and F5 winds

Launching and landing on a suitable beach in waves of ca. 1m

You can tow another paddler and you have trained complex group rescue scenarios before.

When capsized, you can perform a self-rescue or roll

Experience with more difficult rescues in dynamic conditions in between the rocks or in the surf zone

Upskilling Needed?

Book your place in the Course Week Basque Country that takes place immediately before and get the skills you need for this week! At a special package price, of course!

SAFETY PARAMETERS

This is what you can rely on

The sea does what it does. With our safety parameters we determine the maximum environmental conditions up to which we will go on the water* during this programme:
Wind
Offshore wind:
  • Up to 21 knots (wind force 5) in areas with predominantly steep banks that offer enough protection
  • Up to 21 knots (wind force 5) in bays with sandy beaches

Onshore wind:
  • Up to 15 knots (wind force 4) in areas with predominantly steep, rocky shores
  • Up to 21 knots (wind force 5) in areas with flat, sandy shores with easy landing options
Waves
  • Swell of up to 1.0m and a maximum of 15 seconds period on predominantly rocky shores, especially on Flysch or areas with few or difficult landings.
  • Swell of up to 1.5m and a maximum of 15 seconds period on sections with plenty of safe landing options, max. 2 nautical miles away.
  • Surf sessions of up to 2m and a maximum of 15 seconds period (Challenge by Choice)
The sea weather report or swell forecast serves as the basis for assessment. In the case of short, steep wind waves, cross seas, etc., the situation is assessed individually.
If it is not possible to find these (or easier) conditions in our paddling area, we will stay on land. Other safety parameters (extreme gusts, rapidly falling air pressure, thunderstorms, etc.) also apply.

* For more information on this topic, see our FAQs

EVERYTHING ELSE

This is what you need to organise by yourself

For all of our programs, arrival and departure as well as all transport and on-site accommodation are the responsibility of the participants. This means that you have to take care of these things yourself. Below you will find all the information you need:
Meeting point & arrival
GETTING THERE

Meeting point:
Camping Arrien de Gorliz
Uresarantze Bidea 15
48630 Gorliz
Bizkaya
España
Website: https://www.campinggorliz.com

Time:
For a quieter and relaxed start to the week, we recommend arriving the day before (Saturday). When exactly you arrive is completely your choice. Please prepare to be self-sufficient on the day of arrival and note that your Salty Cosmos team is also busy preparing and will not be available before the programme begins.

Our holiday week starts on Sunday morning (Oct 12th) at 10:00.

Getting there:

By car: If you're coming from Switzerland, Austria or Germany, it's probably best to travel via Bordeaux and Donostia or San Sebastian. Shortly before Bilbao, at the Gumuzio exit, leave the AP-8 motorway onto the N-637 towards Aeropuerto Bilbao, Mungia, Gorliz. The campsite is located in the north of the town, not far from the large beach and the hospital.

When making travel arrangements, please don't forget to ask the other participants whether they are looking for or offering a ride.

Unfortunately, getting to Bilbao by public transport is not easy, but it is possible. There is an unbeatably cheap Flixbus from Zurich to Bilbao, but it takes almost 22 hours. Train connections from CH take the detour via Paris and from there by TGV to the Spanish border in Hendaye in just under 5 hours. From here there are various options for continuing the journey via Donostia / San Sebastián and Bilbao. From Bilbao, the subway goes towards Plentzia, from where the A3499 bus leaves at very short intervals to the Kiroldegia/polideportivo stop (4214), right in front of the campsite entrance.

Flying: Certainly the easiest and fastest means of transport to Bilbao is by plane. There are cheap and direct connections from Zurich or Munich, for example.

If you are joining us from the UK or Ireland, we recommend taking the ferry from Plymouth to Santander or from Roslare directly to Bilbao.
Accommodation
Our base camp for this week is at the relatively “urban” but very friendly campsite Arrien in Gorliz. From here you can walk across the park to the sea in five minutes. And it's not far to the pintxo bars and shops of the nice little twin town of Gorliz/Plentzia, with subway connections to Bilbao city center. Despite the proximity to the city, we can reach gorgeous nature in just a few minutes – both on foot and by kayak.

If you don't want to stay at the campsite, you can of course also look for an alternative nearby (holiday apartment, AirBnB, hotel, etc.). However, it is important that you are able to get to the agreed meeting point on time, independently and without any problems.
Please remember that either way you are responsible for organising, booking and paying your accommodation.
Rations
In all Salty Cosmos programmes, food and drinks are generally the responsibility of the participants. Please consider whether you would like to cook for yourself or eat in a privately organised communal group.
Insurance
Accident insurance, travel health insurance, rescue and recovery insurance
In all Salty Cosmos programs, accident insurance, travel health insurance and rescue and recovery insurance are the responsibility of the participants. Please take care of these things early.

Cancellation cost insurance
Please take out cancellation insurance when you complete your booking. If you were to become sick ahead of the programme, it would be a pity if you were not only missing out, but also losing money.

More questions? See our FAQs

This is what Frédéric Flamant says

Ongi etorri, dear friends! Welcome to the Basque Country! I really feel like I'm in paradise here. In fact, I hardly know of any other region where people place such great value on culinary indulgence and great food as they do here. The cuisine is sensational, the pintxos are always great and I'm almost a regular at the churros stand not far down the road from the campsite. There is also a fabulous pasteleria in the town center, with the best cakes around and perfect cortado. What more do you need to be completely happy?

Oh yes, of course, paddling! A lot has already been written about this here. And I too have to say: yes, it really is great here. Silvy already practiced it with you last week and maybe you're a bit tired after all the training. But don't worry: from now on I'll take charge and we'll definitely slow down a bit and have extra coffees and an extra pintxo. Long live the holidays!

Normal price
1250 CHF*

Price including use of our gear

This price includes a kayak, paddle and all the gear you need for participating. You need to order this gear separately after booking, ahead the programme.

Arrival and departure, accommodation and meals are the responsibility of the participants and are therefore not included in the price.

Reduced Price
1100 CHF*

Price with your own material

Price if you participate with your own equipment. You are responsible for bringing your kayak and equipment and, if necessary, transporting them during the programme.

Arrival and departure, accommodation and meals are the responsibility of the participants and are therefore not included in the price.

Make two weeks out of one and save a lot of money!

Book the Course Week Basque Country and the Sea Kayak Holidays Basque Country together for the special package price of only 1900 CHF* (reduced price with your own material) or 2200 CHF* (normal price with material from us).

*Net price plus Spanish VAT (21%)

BOOK NOW
BOOK NOW
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